Butterfly of the Day 2009 12

Nov 2009

Blue Tiger
Wingspan: 98-106 mm

The Blue Tiger (Tirumala limniace) is a

butterfly found in India that belongs to
the Crows and Tigers, that is, the
Danaid group of the Brush-footed
butterfly’s family. This butterfly shows
expansive migratory behavior in
southern India. They migrates
extensively during the Monsoons.

It is one of the commonest butterflies

in India, both in plains and in hills
except the deserts and higher
altitudes. A slow flier, it flutters the
wings majestically in the wooded
places and hedges. It is fond of flowers of pink Cocks’comb, Aztec Marigold, Lucerne, Lantana,
Heliotrope, Sun hemp etc.

Description
Upper side is black, with bluish-white spots and streaks.
Underside: basal two-thirds of fore wing dusky black, the apex and hind wing olive-brown; the spots
and streaks much as on the upper side, Antennae, head and thorax black, the latter two spotted
and streaked with, white.
Life Cycle:

Larva is yellowish white and feeds mostly on plants of Asclepiadaceae, especially Madar Rajmahal
Hemp, Common Waxlant, Emetic Swallowwort, Dregea Volubilis, etc. Pupa is green with golden
scattered spots and beaded dorsal crescent.

The Mimic
The Common Mime form dissimilis mimics the Blue
Tiger (Tirumala limniace).

The flight of the Mime also resembles that of the model,

fluttering, neither weak nor strong, sometimes staying
close to the ground and at other times flying strongly up
into the treetops.

Reference: Wikipedia
Life cycle pics- http://www.flickr.com/photos/drsaji/4059062239/